Skip to main content

Bittersweet End

It’s two weeks out from graduation. I just ordered my cap and gown and my diploma. I am finishing my final papers and presentations. I am beyond excited for the next chapter of my life, but I can’t help think back on my time with Belles. Joining Bruin Belles my freshman year gave me a home at UCLA. It is true that big schools are overwhelming and with 31,000 undergrads, UCLA sure is a lot to take in. So I took a chance on Bruin Belles, and it changed my life. I have met my best friends in the world in this organization – strong, independent, passionate woman who will always have my back and encourage me to be a better person. Bruin Belles has given me the chance to make a difference in the Los Angeles community and give back to the area that has given me so much. Between reading to children at elementary schools on Saturday mornings to pulling weeds at nature reserves, I truly believe I have improved Los Angeles over the past 4 years. On top of that, Belles has made me realize the power of women, and how amazing each and every one of us is. The annual Women’s Leadership Conference inspired me to not fear the future, but to embrace opportunity and challenges. Being a woman in this century is not always easy but it’s a lot more manageable when you have a group of women supporting you. Bruin Belles has given me the opportunity to grow and challenge myself, and I am beyond thankful for this organization. Thank you Bruin Belles for everything! I am going to miss this wonderful, strong, beautiful family at UCLA.   

Amberly Bark
Distinguished Belle


Image may contain: 43 people, including Briana Belmonte, Tiffany Caram, Echo Davidson, Emily Tsai, Jordan Holmes, Amy Pham, Tammy Kung, Greta Grace Corrine Bishop, Samantha Zimmer and 10 others, people smiling, outdoor

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Imposter Syndrome and Finding Myself

The person I was when I stepped on campus 4 years ago is unrecognizable to me now. I came to college knowing that I wanted to be pre-med but having no friends or family following a similar path, I felt so lost in navigating my path on my own. I started college being terrified of failing. I was so naive and so desperate to succeed I was not taking care of myself. My second year was when I reached my lowest point. I was so depressed and lonely, I considered leaving  UCLA. I did not feel smart enough to be there, I didn’t feel likable enough because I didn’t really have friends. Joining Belles in my junior year was a big part of completely transforming my UCLA experience. Belles was the first time I felt completely embraced by a group of people. It was the first space in which I felt like everyone truly wanted the best for each other. The people and the opportunity to help others were exactly what my heart needed at that time in my life. Service is something that is so incredibly importan

Finding My Community

Coming onto campus for the first time as a sophomore was especially daunting. Similar to most people, transitioning to in-person classes and dorm life was challenging. As I attended classes and other club meetings, I felt like I might have missed out on opportunities during the online year to reach out to people and make friends. Stuck with random roommates and no close friends on campus, I felt very isolated. This wasn’t the college experience that I had imagined. But then I started attending Belles meetings and events, and things began to slowly click into place.  Bruin Belles is such a uniquely amazing community where everyone is passionate about so many different things in terms of both academics and personal interests. The Belles community inspired me then and continues to encourage me to push the boundaries of my academic and professional pursuit, to put myself out there, and to carry a positive and optimistic attitude into all my endeavors. From volunteering at the LA Times Fest

One Year Ago, Today

One year ago today, I was working on my application for Bruin Belles. As I think back to that time of my life, I remember the immense sense of uncertainty I felt. Would Belles like me as much as I liked them? I look back at this time of my life, a mere 365 days ago, and hardly recognize the person I was. Belles has been a large part of this personal journey.  When I applied to BBSA, I was just beginning my junior year at UCLA. My first year had been cut short because of the Covid-19 pandemic, and my second year of college was entirely online. Determined to make the most out of the later half of my undergraduate career, I applied to Belles. I was resolute on finding a community that made UCLA feel like home (as cliche as it sounds) while supporting my personal and academic growth. After attending my first Belles event, I knew I had found what I was looking for (and more).  As an organization, BBSA has given me invaluable opportunities to serve the Los Angeles community, allowed me to le